Yes, it’s a week attempt at a clever headline, but I didn’t want to go for something about Martin Prado and the devil.
So the Phillies had a pretty bad June, their worst month since last June. They went 11-15 this past month and 12-14 in June ’08. This has been a bad stretch for the Fightins’, but thankfully, they play in the NL East with the Mutts and Marlins. Their recent struggles have allowed the teams behind them to creep up on them, but the Mets have been doing their part as well. They went 9-18 in June to fall to 3rd place in the Nl East behind the Fish. At this point in the season, it looks like if you don’t win the NL East, you don’t make the playoffs. I don’t think the Wild Card is coming out of the East this season.
Jimmy Rollins’ struggles have played a huge part in the Phillies fate recently, but that has been beaten to death many times, so I’ll leave it alone. The only thing I will say is that he needs to go back to just getting on base. Stop thinking about hitting HRs and get on base for the rest of this team. They’ll knock you in Jimmy, I promise.
There is hope on the horizon though. Raul Ibanez is scheduled to start his rehab with AA Reading tonight. Charlie Manuel said he’d like to get him some at bats before he comes up, so hopefully he’s back early next week at the latest. Ibanez is a key part of this team and they desperately need him. The offense is struggling without him and he’s been a catalyst so far. It can’t be said enough, great signing by Amaro.
Scott Eyre is also starting his rehab at Reading tonight. He’ll be welcomed back to the bullpen when he’s eligible. The pitching staff has been hurting recently, and they need all the arms they can get.
It’s been a rough month, but now that the calendar has turned, hopefully the team’s fortune turns as well. They played a lot better last July than they did in June, so they’ll try and keep that trend going for the rest of this season, just like last year. Of course, we all know how last season turned out for the WFC.
-KK
